A Look Back At The Gryphons Sports Year

The sports year is now completed and it is time to reflect on the results.  There are some outstanding performances to think about.

Football:  State runners up in 3A.  13-3 record. This season will always have a game that as long as any person is alive to tell about it will be worth telling.  No written information will ever give you the feeling of having been there to see it.  Rocky Mount 34- Havelock 33.

Havelock ahead 17-10 running out the clock with less than a minute to play.  The Gryphon defense holds with 25 seconds to play at the half yard line.  As great of a stand as that was we were still down  No way Jose the Gryphons can win this one.  Havelock figuring a sack or hurry would cause a safety or  an incomplete pass or maybe and interception  rushed everybody and had told the secondary to cover the short pass in front of you because our rush will not allow a deep pass.

Detrelle Revis was open the second he came off the line but instead of going short he was headed long.  Shabios Lynch had no choice throw it now or get sacked.  Revis had to wait for the ball to get to him between the 20-25 yard line wide open.  Then had to turn around and run for glory.  An extra point away from  tying a game we should not win.  Those Havelock fans cheering block that kick is another moment to remember.  Chase Miller the field goal winning kicker from the 2015 state championship needing the extra point to tie motioned to the crowd as if I can't hear you and calmly tied the game with a kick down the middle.  About a half hour later after Havelock has missed and extra point in the third over time there stands Miller the Havelock fans at it again Block that kick and Miller urging them to get louder calmly sends another one down the middle  sending  the Gryphons back to the state championship game for the second year in a row. Gryphon fans in disbelief of what they saw happen and Rams fans asking what happen.

I don't know that I have ever before seen a game that a team had no chance to win an yet they did.

Indoor track brought home two state champions  Keyanna Spivey and Sherrod Greene

Girls basketball was conference champion  undefeated in the conference regular season.  Made it to the Eastern Semi finals this year played at Northern Guilford instead of Fayetteville.  A statement of six playoff games being too many the Lady Gryphons won their opening playoff game 70-9.

Girls tennis was the conference champion advancing to the third round.  I know that third round Round playoff game had the largest soccer crowd .since the new school was built.

Baseball the Gryphons won the conference tournament title and made it to the second round.  Pat Smith stepped down as coach having served two stints and bringing home a state baseball title in 2008.  Then gave a tearful goodbye at the awards banquet.  Thanks coach  for what you have done with Gryphon Baseball.

Boys tennis going unbeaten in conference play making the third round in team play.  Won conference tournament as well as singles champ Tyler Brice and doubles champs in George Shannon and Landon Norwood.  George and Landon were Regional doubles champs.All three players made the final 16 and the doubles team the final eight in the state.